The Bodyguard
Author: Katherine Center
First Published: July 19, 2022
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
ISBN: 9781250219404
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Possibly the definition of an actual fantasy/daydream romance.
Re-readability: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Super re-readable. Feels like a comfort escapism read.
Pair with: A fuzzy blanket or just a cosy chair because this is a lighthearted and fast read.
Trigger Warnings: parent death, stalking. Mild trigger warning for child abuse, infidelity and gun violence.
Disclaimer: This post will include affiliate links to Apple Books & Bookshop (below). Also, light spoilers below.
So when that same good friend wanted to do another buddy read after our last successful one, I immediately said yes since “Beach Read” was so much fun. When he brought another book hoarder friend on board and chose another surprising romance, I just paused reading my book club book and started this one. And that ended up being a relatively good idea since I ended up finishing “The Bodyguard” in less than half a day – I guess I just love escapism romances.
“The Bodyguard” follows a female (!!!) bodyguard who’s kind of hit dirt bottom – her mother passed away, her boyfriend dumped and cheated on her with her best friend, and she just doesn’t know how to relax. She is then given a task to protect an A-list celebrity (aka our male lead) from a stalker while he’s home due to family business. Cue the fake relationship to protect her identity as a bodyguard, sparks fly, add a little angst and finish with a happily ever after.
I swear, this book is the prime example of the fantasy romance everybody has at least once growing up. Hasn’t everybody dreamed at least once that their celebrity crush would fall in love with them? I know I definitely have. But, this (in my opinion) makes it the perfect escapism romance read – a quick few hours fantasizing about something that will almost never happen but is always fun to read about. And it really is a quick and easy read – I picked it up (based on my group texts) at 15:36, and finished it around 22:30, with a break for dinner and cleaning and all the night habits (shower, skincare, etc).
Overall, I really enjoyed reading “The Bodyguard” – I think it was exactly what I needed after a stressful week. There also weren’t many cringe moments, and all the characters (minus the ex-boyfriend and the ex-best friend) were likeable. I wouldn’t say this book was quite life-changing or an immediate favorite, but I highly enjoyed the writing and how easy it was to read. Plus, again, I love reading in order to escape from real life for a little bit, and this was a perfect little pick-me-up. I also loved that this book literally evoked that 2000’s era romcom feeling (IYKYK). Also, Hannah (the female lead) was just so sweet, and seeing her finally be able to relax and let her guard down was so lovely to read – the entire read I just wanted to give her a giant hug.
If you’re looking for a very unrealistic but fun and romcom heyday-esque read, I recommend picking up “The Bodyguard.” My buddy read companions and I tried casting in our heads for the roles, and we ended up thinking of Sandra Bullock but when she was in Miss Congeniality for Hannah, and Josh Duhamel or Chris Pine or Chris Evans for Jack. Honestly, this could probably easily be made into a movie – I wonder if anybody has even optioned it. Anyway, it’s a fun book to curl up in a cosy chair with after a stressful day/week/month/year/whatever. Escapism for the win! And yes, I’d totally reread it as well.
Check out “The Bodyguard” below:
Storygraph | Goodreads | Macmillan Publishers | Bookshop | Apple Books | NYPL (or your local library)
Note: I’m officially a Bookshop & Apple Books affiliate, which is awesome because they’re both services I use! I promise this didn’t influence my review at all. This just helps me make a little extra money to buy more books that I’ll read… eventually.
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